Are you a fan of Fleming's "The Spy who Loved Me"?

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carl stromberg
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Are you a fan of Fleming's "The Spy who Loved Me"?

Post by carl stromberg »

What do you think of the time Ian Fleming went mad and decided to do something new....?
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Post by The Sweeney »

I personally think this is a very good novel. Part one - `Me' does tend to trail off somewhat in parts, but the tension and build up during Part two - `Them' is very good, and by Part 3 - `Him', its a real show-stopping moment. The hero arrives in the nick of time, and I think Bond's grand entrance alone makes up for the lack of a typical Fleming plot.

But there again, what do I know. My reputation is not thought of very highly around here.....
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Post by Capt. Sir Dominic Flandry »

I don't blame him for trying something different. People were a bit snooty about Fleming's novels and he was a bit bored with the same formula and his character - similar to Herge and Tintin.
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Post by Commander 0077 »

The Sweeney wrote:I personally think this is a very good novel. Part one - `Me' does tend to trail off somewhat in parts, but the tension and build up during Part two - `Them' is very good, and by Part 3 - `Him', its a real show-stopping moment. The hero arrives in the nick of time, and I think Bond's grand entrance alone makes up for the lack of a typical Fleming plot.

But there again, what do I know. My reputation is not thought of very highly around here.....
No, you're wrong Sweeney. I, for one, would certainly miss your comments and input.

As for the novel:
There's plenty to like about it. Fleming is a good writer even when Bond doesn't appear. And when he does, we see a rather nice guy; in fact a very nice guy. So noble that he warns Viv at the end not to fall for him. The policeman at the end tells her the same. "You may be tempted to think of him as some sort of hero, but don't make that mistake." (paraphrase). (And btw, at first glance in the door, Viv assumes that Bond is 'one of them' but shortly she is summing him up as handsome with kind eyes. All through the novels, after CR, Bond is portrayed as a guy with a good heart, who doesn't relish killing. Dr. No calls him "A stupid policeman" who just does whatever he's ordered -- but we know better.)
The thugs are also fun to watch. Typical "Diamonds Are Forever" type hoods. Fleming is always Fun to read -- and much of that is because Bond is sort of a serious Mr. Bean (where did that come from?) -- just suaving through life.
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Post by stockslivevan »

I am currently reading all the books one by one in chronological order. After Thunderball, should I skip TSWLM and save it for later or read it anyway before OHMSS?
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carl stromberg
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Post by carl stromberg »

stockslivevan wrote:I am currently reading all the books one by one in chronological order. After Thunderball, should I skip TSWLM and save it for later or read it anyway before OHMSS?
Read it - and add on Colonel Sun at the end for fun!
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Re: Are you a fan of Fleming's "The Spy who Loved Me"?

Post by Blowfeld »

I read this one again recently it was hard to get involved with at first. Normaly Ian's books catch in the beginning and hold me in rapt attention.
I know he forbade it but I couldn't help but wonder how a skilled story teller would make a movie of it . There are so many good tension points.
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Re: Are you a fan of Fleming's "The Spy who Loved Me"?

Post by Thunderpussy »

I've only read TSWLM once years ago,IMHO it worth a read but it's hard going. If I was ever to read it again I'd only read the last third, which is very good.
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Re: Are you a fan of Fleming's "The Spy who Loved Me"?

Post by Kristatos »

Another one that I haven't read since I was a teenager. My local library has a copy of Titan books' collection of the newspaper strip - which apparently differs from both the book AND the movie. I'm debating whether I should read it before re-reading the novel.
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Re: Are you a fan of Fleming's "The Spy who Loved Me"?

Post by Roger Devereau »

Kristatos wrote:Another one that I haven't read since I was a teenager. My local library has a copy of Titan books' collection of the newspaper strip - which apparently differs from both the book AND the movie. I'm debating whether I should read it before re-reading the novel.
Always read the primary text first!!!
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Re: Are you a fan of Fleming's "The Spy who Loved Me"?

Post by Charles Vine »

Charles Vine » Tue Mar 29, 2011 11:19 pm
I consider this book quite good, one of Fleming's best in fact. A swift read and an interesting perspective on Bond. Not a dot wasted.
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carl stromberg
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Re: Are you a fan of Fleming's "The Spy who Loved Me"?

Post by carl stromberg »

Kristatos wrote:Another one that I haven't read since I was a teenager. My local library has a copy of Titan books' collection of the newspaper strip - which apparently differs from both the book AND the movie. I'm debating whether I should read it before re-reading the novel.
I'm always reading the graphic novels in the library too!
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carl stromberg
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Re: Are you a fan of Fleming's "The Spy who Loved Me"?

Post by carl stromberg »

Charles Vine wrote:Charles Vine » Tue Mar 29, 2011 11:19 pm
I consider this book quite good, one of Fleming's best in fact. A swift read and an interesting perspective on Bond. Not a dot wasted.
I'll have to read this after your review!
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Re: Are you a fan of Fleming's "The Spy who Loved Me"?

Post by Blowfeld »

Blowfeld » Sat Apr 09, 2011 4:20 pm
carl stromberg wrote:
Charles Vine wrote:Charles Vine » Tue Mar 29, 2011 11:19 pm
I consider this book quite good, one of Fleming's best in fact. A swift read and an interesting perspective on Bond. Not a dot wasted.
I'll have to read this after your review!
It is a odd book out for Ian. I do not know how to place it with his other books. I am glad you liked it, I think Rosamund's reading the audio book is quite an appropriate choice. I might have to give it a listen althou I prefer holding the book in my hand.
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